Termite-infested cash worth lakhs found in union room at Kolkata’s Surendranath College

A large amount of partially termite-infested and soiled Rs 100 and Rs 500 have been found stuffed in two trolley bags inside the locked union room of at Surendranath College in Kolkata’s Sealdah area. Although there has been no official statement regarding the amount, it’s reportedly several lakhs.

Police seize bags, launch probe

The bags were seized by a team of officials from the Muchipara police station, reported The Telegraph adding that has investigation has started regarding the source of the cash. The bags were found on Tuesday (June 2) afternoon.

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“Two trolley bags loaded with damaged and soiled ₹100 and ₹500 notes were found inside a storeroom in the backyard of Surendranath College while college staff, in the presence of the principals of Surendranath Day and Evening College, were cleaning the premises ahead of the monsoon,” said Kolkata Police joint commissioner (crime) Soma Das Mitra told reporters.

Apart from the currency notes a firearm wrapped in a plastic bag was also recovered from room said Teacher-in-charge Purnendu Prakash.

Locked room opened during cleaning drive

The cash was found during a pre-monsoon cleaning exercise carried out by officials of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). According to local media reports, quoting college sources, workers came across a locked room adjoining the gymnasium and sought permission to enter. As the keys could not be traced immediately, the lock was broken.

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“After entering the room, the KMC staff found the bags inside an almirah,” a senior police officer said.

Police said the bundles of cash were found inside bags stored in the cupboard. The notes appeared to have been lying there for a prolonged period. “When they were opened, the notes were found to be soiled and partially eaten by termites,” the officer said. Apart from the cash, officials recovered documents, files and political cutouts from the room.

Union room locked since court order

A section of the college staff said the union room had remained locked since a Calcutta High Court order directing the closure of such facilities amid the absence of campus elections in state-aided institutions. Student union polls have not been conducted in many colleges since 2019, reported India Today.

Reacting to the development, BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh alleged the money could be linked to irregularities in admissions and questioned how such funds had accumulated.

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“Just imagine how much money one can have that their money is now being feasted upon by termites? What else is left for us to witness?” Ghosh said on Tuesday.

“The Trinamool student supporters on the campus have disappeared since May 4. We are trying to contact them to find out the source of the money,” a college official said.